LA man charged in death of dog in van

LOS ANGELES 
A Los Angeles man has pleaded not guilty to an animal cruelty charge after he's accused of leaving a dog to die inside an abandoned stolen van.

Prosecutors say 29-year-old Danny Fis was charged Tuesday with one count each of cruelty to an animal and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle. Bail was set at $45,000 and Fis is scheduled to return to court Sept. 10.

The van and dog were stolen Aug. 17 outside a clothing store. The owner left the motor running and the air conditioning on while he went inside to get his family. When he returned, the dog and van were gone.

The van was found two days later in a parking lot with all the windows up. Investigators say the dog died of heat exhaustion.